Can You Improve Your Creativity? with Scott Barry Kaufman

Scott Barry Kaufman is an author, researcher, speaker, and public science communicator. He is interested in using psychological science to help all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and meaningful life. Scott is a professor of positive psychology at The University of Pennsylvania. His research has been featured in The Atlantic, Scientific American, Psychology Today, and the Harvard Business Review, just to name a few of the many publications.  Scott is the host of The Psychology Podcast, which I highly recommend listening to.

In this conversation, you will hear Scott talk about creativity in the workplace. While creativity can be messy, and organizations typically don’t like “mess,” Scott explains how a “no agenda zone”, openness to new experiences, opportunities for awe and other leadership behaviors can improve people's creativity.  We also explore the psychological tools of growth mindsets, git and self-compassion that may be needed to support creative risk taking.  shares some ways we can improve our creativity at work.

Connect with Scott Barry Kaufman:

Website: ScottBarryKaufman.com
Podcast: The Psychology Podcast

You’ll Learn:

• [02:26] - Creativity is messy and organizations typically don’t like a mess.  Scott explains how they can embrace creativity by embracing uncertainty.
• [05:10] - Scott discusses the relationship between positive emotion and the creative process.
• [07:42] - Scott talks about the latest in the neuroscience of creativity.  He talks about the importance of “the imagination network.”
• [09:14] - Scott shares way researchers are finding can improve our creativity at work.
• [11:20] - Scott explains how awe can impact our creativity.
• [13:46] - Scott talks about how unusual environments can foster creativity, and what organizations and leaders can do to create weird experiences.
• [16:15] - Scott talks about the psychological skills of growth mindsets and self-compassion that enables us to take creative risks.
• [17:20] - The Lightning Round with Scott Barry Kaufman.

Your Resources:

• Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind - Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire
• Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World - Adam Grant and Sheryl Sandberg
• David Burkus’ books on creativity in the workplace
• Keith Sawyer’s books on creativity in the workplace
• The Power of Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence - Dacher Keltner

Thanks for listening!

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Until next time, take care!